Speed wrench



J. L. M LAY SPEED WRENCH Dec. 8, 1931.

Filed June so, 1950 Filght Ill: I lllrlilil ll' li wl INVENTCR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1931 JOHN L. MCLAY, or SACRAMENTO; cAnrroRNIA SPEED wnnlvcn Application filed June 30,

This invention relates to mechanics hand tools, and particularly to a wrench of that type known as the speed wrench and which is usually used to advance or retract nuts from bolts or studs, up to the final tightening orafter the initial starting or loosening of the nut respectively; and by means of which as the name implies, such nut turning opertions are effected more rapidly than can be done with the ordinary monkey or solid wrench. v

The principal object of my invention is to provide a wrench of this character so constructed that it may be held and the desired speedy rotation of the same efficiently effected by one hand of the operator after a little practice, thus leaving his other hand free for other purposes, such as initially holding the nut in position relative to the bolt, when inverted or in a relatively inaccessible position.

A further object of the invention is to construct the wrench so that it may not only be used for speedy turning of the nut when the latter is relatively free, but may be also quickly and easily adJusted so thatthe necessary leverage is obtained to efiect a starting or final tightening of the nut.

A further object of the invention is to pro duce a simple and inexpensive device and yet the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of i such structure and relative arrangement of as adjusted for use to eflect a starting or final tightening of a nut.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a relatively short shank which is squared on one end as M2 to removably fit the socket 3 formed in one end of a standard extension stem 4, which stem on one which will be exceedingly effective for its other carries" a nut engaging socket 5 ofco nmon character. The other end of the shankhas a head 6 Yon which is pivotally mounteda fork 7. Formed with this fo'rk is A acrank which comprises another sh'ankportlOll S projecting from the fork radially ofthe' pivotalv pin 9 of the hand and" fork,"' said shank 8 at its'oppositeend being bent to'form 'a relatively long spindle l'OIdisp sed at right T angles :to theshank portion 8. -Afhandle 11 is turnableonthe spindle, the length of said handle beingsuch that its outer end will pro-'- jecta short distance beyond the axial lineL of the shank 1 when handle 'is disposed a atanangle of approximately 30 degrees to said". line',' or .wh en; the shank" portion "8 is accordingly disposed at a 60 degree angle to said line.

It is this position of the handle relative to the shank l that permits the latter to be speedily rotated by one hand grasping the handle without any material wabbling motion being impartedto the shank such as would preventthe effective use of the tool for its purpose. The handle is releasably maintained in such position by a spring 7 pressed pin 12 slidably mounted in the shank 8 radially of the pivot 9, and "engaging a recess 13 cut in the periphery of the head 6.

When it is desired to use the wrench for nut starting or tightening purposes, the shank 8 is turned about'the pivot 9 as an axis, so

that both shanks are longitudinally alined,'

when the handle 11 will be disposed at a right angle to the shanks as will be evident. Owing to the relatively great length of the handle this position of the latter provides a good leverage. for a turning movement of the shanks and of the nut engaged by the hold- M ing extension. To releasably maintain the handle in this position the head 6 is provided with another recess 13a for engagement with the pin 12. The handle member may be turned in the same direction until it lies parallel to the shank 1, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

With this positioning of the parts the wrench is in a relatively compact form so as to occupy a minimum of space when not in use.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A speed wrench comprising a straight rigid shank having a part engaging element on one end, another straight shank member, a han-' dle rigid with said shank member on one end and disposed atright angles thereto, means pivotally connecting the shanks at their ends opposite said element and handle, and means associated with the pivot connection to hold the shanks in longitudinal alignment with each other so that the handle extends at right angles to the first named shank; so that the shank member is disposed at an obtuse included angle with the first named shank with the handle projecting toward the extended aXial'line of said first named shank; or so that the shank member is disposed at right angles to the first named shank with the handle parallel to and alongside the same, selectively.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN L. MGLAY. 

